Hindu Fest. | Skanda Shashti

Skanda Sashti is a six-day South Indian festival to Skanda, the Lord of Religious Striving, also known as Murugan or Karttikeya.

It begins on the day after the new moon in the month of Karttika (October/November) with chariot processions and pujas invoking His protection and grace. The festival honors Skanda’s receiving His lance, or vel, of spiritual illumination, and culminates in a victory celebration of spiritual light over darkness on the final day. Penance, austerity, fasting and devout worship are especially fruitful during this sacred time.

Who is Skanda?

Skanda is a God of many attributes, often depicted as six-faced and twelve-armed.
Saivite Hindus hail this supreme warrior, the commander-in-chief of the great army
of devas, or beings of light, a fearless defender of righteousness. They honor Him as the
mystic healer of ailments and master of yoga, guiding those who persevere on enlightenment’s path.Legends say He was the first to renounce the world and step onto the path of kundalini yoga. God Siva bestowed upon His son Skanda dominion over the chakras of willpower, direct cognition, and the purest, child-like divine love.

Murugan is the tutelary Deity of the Tamil community.

What do Hindus do for Skanda Sashti?

It is considered meritorious to undertake a six-day fast, known as the Skanda Sashti
Vrata, or vow, in empathy for Skanda’s titanic struggle. Many abstain from all foods, while
some permit themselves fruits and simple, unsalted foods. Following immediately after
Diwali, the fast is an ideal antidote to that festival’s feasting, revelry and overindulging.

On the day the fast is broken, families enjoy a sweet pudding called payasam along with
fried delicacies. A six-part prayer for protection, called the Skanda Sashti Kavacham,
is chanted. Six is a number associated with this God. Another discipline is to stand in a river, facing upstream, draw a six-pointed star and write “Saravanabhava,” His supreme
mantra, on the water before bathing.

Special decorations adorn home shrines, featuring images of the peacock and
the fighting rooster. Devotees pilgrimage to Murugan’s temples, especially the temple in the seaside sanctuary at Tiruchendur in South India.

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Download this flyer for more information about Skanda Shashti and a great Kesari recipe.

Food for Skanda Shashti

All food consumed during the 6 day Skanda Shashti festival is vegetarian, and cooked without onions or garlic.

It is a time for complete fasting in many places. But this might not be quite possible for many people due to work, health and other reasons. So many people consume a single meal each day during this time — usually at noon, in the afternoon or night. For many, it is a single rice meal at noon; In India, this may be provided by the temple. The cooked rice is consumed without any major side dishes.

Others opt for a fruit diet. Some avoid solid food. The method and traditions of fasting differ from region to region.

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